BREAKING: Trudeau announces 25% retaliatory tariffs on US goods

Trudeau announced a 25 percent tariff on US goods starting at midnight on Tuesday.

“Canada has always been a fair trading partner and a strong ally to the United States,” Trudeau said in a statement from Ottawa. “These tariffs are an unfair attack on Canadian businesses and families. We will not stand idly by while our workers and economy are put at risk.”

The newly announced tariffs, which include duties on Canadian steel, aluminum, and select agricultural products, were unveiled by President Trump as part of his administration’s broader strategy to prioritize American industry. The White House says the move as necessary to ensure domestic economic stability, but Trudeau strongly pushed back against the justification.

"The facts are clear: Canadian steel and aluminum do not threaten American jobs—they support them. Our economic partnership has been one of mutual benefit for decades, and these tariffs serve only to create unnecessary tension,” Trudeau stated. “We are prepared to respond in kind, with strong, targeted measures to defend our economy.

Trudeau confirmed that his government will engage in discussions with trade partners to assess further responses. The prime minister also vowed to bring Canada’s case to international trade bodies, arguing that the tariffs violate existing agreements between the two nations.

Industry leaders in Canada have echoed Trudeau’s concerns, warning that the tariffs could have severe economic consequences on both sides of the border. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce labeled the move “damaging and short-sighted,” while union leaders representing affected workers called for swift government action.

"Canadians are resilient. We’ve faced challenges before, and we will stand together now to ensure our workers, our industries, and our economy remain strong,” he said.

Trudeau's full statement is as follows:

"Today, after a 30-day pause, the United States administration has decided to proceed with imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports and 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian energy. Let me be unequivocally clear – there is no justification for these actions.

"While less than 1 per cent of the fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border comes from Canada, we have worked relentlessly to address this scourge that affects Canadians and Americans alike. We implemented a $1.3 billion border plan with new choppers, boots on the ground, more co-ordination, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. We appointed a Fentanyl Czar, listed transnational criminal cartels as terrorist organizations, launched the Joint Operational Intelligence Cell, and are establishing a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force on organized crime. Because of this work – in partnership with the United States – fentanyl seizures from Canada have dropped 97 per cent between December 2024 and January 2025 to a near-zero low of 0.03 pounds seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

"Canada will not let this unjustified decision go unanswered. Should American tariffs come into effect tonight, Canada will, effective 12:01 a.m. EST tomorrow, respond with 25 per cent tariffs against $155 billion of American goods – starting with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and tariffs on the remaining $125 billion on American products in 21 days’ time. Our tariffs will remain in place until the U.S. trade action is withdrawn, and should U.S. tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures. While we urge the U.S. administration to reconsider their tariffs, Canada remains firm in standing up for our economy, our jobs, our workers, and for a fair deal.

"Because of the tariffs imposed by the U.S., Americans will pay more for groceries, gas, and cars, and potentially lose thousands of jobs. Tariffs will disrupt an incredibly successful trading relationship. They will violate the very trade agreement that was negotiated by President Trump in his last term."